田でん鼠そ化かして鶉うずらとなる

expression

moles transform into quails (second climate of the third month)

A set phrase from the traditional 七十二候 calendar, marking the seasonal micro-climate when moles are said to turn into quails. Used only in historical or poetic contexts.

See also: 七十二候

• 七しち十じゅう二に候こうの一ひとつに「田でん鼠そ化かして鶉うずらとなる」という言こと葉ばがある。

  One of the 72 micro-seasons is the phrase 'moles transform into quails'.